The Secrets of Tenley House

by Patricia Dixon

  Vanessa

  The clock on her bedside table said 4pm which meant Georgie would be back very soon, although Vanessa wished there was a way to make the hands spin faster, not just by twisting the wheel at the back, but actually make time go quicker and then she’d be home again. It had been such bad luck that the day before she had woken with a terrible cold which meant she wasn’t allowed to the charity fete in the village. She had so wanted to go and hold Georgie’s hand and show her off to everyone, especially the horrid girls from school.

  One or two of them had actually been quite nice to Vanessa recently but only because they hoped to be invited for tea so they could meet Georgie and perhaps one of her famous friends, Vanessa knew that. She didn’t care because it was a relief to finally be accepted and allowed to join in. The girls at school had always been mean, whispering behind her back, saying Tenley was haunted by Daphne’s ghost and calling Vanessa cruel names, like Nessie after the Loch Ness monster. They never invited her to parties because they said she’d eat all the food and Jemima sometimes pulled her hair and laughed at her when they did ballet. Vanessa hated Jemima more than anyone and there was no way she would ever invite her to tea, or the party Georgie was arranging for Vanessa’s birthday.

  Vanessa had never had a proper party. Daddy and the nannies had said she could have one but nobody would have come so instead they went out for tea. This year things would be different, everything was different. From the moment Vanessa opened the front door and saw Georgie get out of the car and smooth down her dress, then smile the most beautiful smile, Vanessa’s whole life had changed. Resting her head on the pillow, Vanessa closed her eyes and remembered ‘Georgie Day.’ It was like magic. A curse had been lifted from Tenley and a beautiful fairy stepmother had cast a spell of happiness over everyone.

  When Vanessa spotted the stranger, a blonde-haired lady alighting from her father’s car, for one dreadful moment she presumed it would be another nanny. After all the grumpy guts upstairs had already told Granny she was leaving at the end of the week. Stepping forward, Vanessa made her way down the steps towards her father who looked rather shifty, or was he nervous, yes that was it because he was red in the face like when he was called to Granny’s room. The pretty lady had moved to the front of the car and smoothed down her skirt, then flicked back her blonde silky hair and smiled at Vanessa who was feeling awkward and shy. The cat seemed to have taken everybody’s tongues until the lady spoke.

  “So, you must be Vanessa. Your daddy has told me all about you. My, aren’t you a little smasher. And I do love your dress. My name’s Georgie, by the way.” Again, a smile. Kind and encouraging as she held out her gloved hand, treating Vanessa like a grown-up.

  Vanessa smiled back and stepped forward. “Pleased to meet you too, Georgie.”

  And then the strangest thing happened. When they shook hands, Georgie held on, she didn’t drop Vanessa’s but instead guided her towards Kenneth who appeared to be holding his breath.

  Kenneth, looking and feeling relieved, took the other hand of his bemused daughter and realising that the cat had kindly returned his tongue, managed to speak.

  “That’s the tricky bit over with. Shall we go inside and find Granny? I want to tell you about our surprise, come along, and then we can all have tea.” As the three of them climbed the steps and entered the shadowy hall of Tenley, Vanessa was less concerned about the arrival of the pretty lady and more perplexed about her father’s comment. He had definitely said ‘our surprise’ when she was sure it was supposed to be just for her.

  “Married?”

  “Yes, Mother. Georgie and I are married and I apologise for springing it on you like this but we are so very much in love and just decided to throw caution to the wind and as they say these days, get hitched.” Kenneth was sticking to the script he’d rehearsed with Georgie and as much as his legs were desperate to pace the floor and release pent up anxiety, he remained by her side.

  Vanessa in the meantime found she was still holding on to Georgie’s hand and as her head flipped from one person to the other, noticed that her new friend was the only person who looked like she was enjoying herself. The sides of her blue eyes were crinkled and Vanessa could tell she was trying hard not to smile because her lips twitched slightly. Granny on the other hand looked like she had been frozen. Her face and body were so stiff Vanessa thought she might shatter, which would be marvellous because they could scrape her into a dustpan and throw her in the bin.

  After the silence, Phyllis, drawing on years of experience, gathered herself enough to speak. “I must say this is all rather unconventional and has come as a great shock but what’s done is done, so all that remains is for me to welcome you to my family… Georgie. Is that your actual name by the way, it is rather masculine?” Phyllis had resorted to condescension, her least-destructive weapon. Remaining seated, she imperiously held out her hand and waited for Georgie to approach, which meant letting go of Vanessa’s hand.

  Georgie walked confidently across the room to shake Phyllis’s hand, watched intently by Vanessa who felt rather abandoned, which was odd really, but it was only for a few moments while introductions were made.

  When she addressed Phyllis, Georgie’s voice wasn’t simpering or enthusiastic either, however, when she mentioned Vanessa it changed, sounding full of kindness and excitement. “Very pleased to meet you Phyllis and whilst I was christened dreary old Georgina, I much prefer Georgie, it’s fun and far easier to say. Now, I must get to know this adorable little girl who I am sure is going to be my new best friend. Come over here and sit next to me so we can chat while Daddy brings us some tea. I’m parched, aren’t you?” Georgie had turned her back on Phyllis and without being asked had taken a seat on the sofa which she patted, speaking directly to Vanessa. Kenneth on the other hand scooted over to the bell and rang for refreshments.

  And that was how it began. Phyllis managed to control her temper for almost a week until her anger bubbled over and all hell broke loose, that was until the angel stepped in and calmed everyone down.

  Vanessa knew a storm was coming and there was no way Granny would put up with someone like Georgie being part of the family, not after she found out she used to be an actress and had recently been working in a shop selling undergarments. Honestly, Vanessa thought Granny was going to die of shock. Her cup actually wobbled before she replaced it on the saucer, sloshing tea over her dress. Most unladylike.

  Over dinner that night, Georgie told Vanessa all about her actor friends, one of them had been on television and would soon be making a film in Hollywood. And then there were the musicians and writers, and once, Princess Margaret had offered her a cigarette in a nightclub. Somewhere amongst her bits and bobs, Georgie had a photo of them seated together at a party, fancy that? Vanessa was in awe and while she tucked into her chicken, Georgie smoked and picked at her food and made Daddy laugh out loud while they both drank lots of wine. Granny didn’t speak a word and looked like she’d swallowed a lemon and then to everyone’s relief, retired early.

  Later that evening, after Nanny had gone to her room to pack, Georgie came to say goodnight to Vanessa who was exhausted but unable to sleep after the thrill of it all. She was just about to climb out of bed and creep to the top of the stairs so she could listen to the music playing downstairs when she heard a gentle tapping on the door and a voice asking if she could enter. It was her.

  When Georgie popped her head around the door, she made a funny face and then smiled before coming to sit on the bed, gently swiping a stray curl from the shy girl’s forehead and then taking her hand.

  “I just wanted to say goodnight and thank you for being such a darling today. I do realise this has been a huge shock for you but I really do hope we can be friends once we get to know each other. Would you like that too?”

  Vanessa nodded. She wanted to be friends with Georgie more than anything in the world.

  “And there’s to be none of this evil stepmother nonsense. It is so tiresome when people
don’t get along and I have no intention of stealing your lovely daddy, we can share him, half each. Is that a deal?” Georgie made a chopping motion then tickled the back of Vanessa’s hand, making her giggle.

  “Yes it’s a deal and I don’t mind sharing, not at all. Today has been so much fun and the best surprise, truly it has.” Vanessa meant every single word.

  “That has made me extremely happy and rather pleased with myself. Right, now you snuggle down and then tomorrow the three of us can have some fun. Daddy’s going to show me around Tenley but afterwards perhaps we can go for a picnic, would you like that?”

  “I’d like that very much.”

  “Marvellous, I will look forward to it.” Georgie pulled the covers up around Vanessa’s shoulders and then gave her a peck on the cheek as she stood.

  Before she had reached the door, Georgie was halted by a question from Vanessa.

  “Georgie, can I ask you something?”

  “Of course, dearest, you may ask me anything.”

  “What shall I call you… now you are married to Daddy?” Vanessa could feel her cheeks burning, quite shocked by her own forthrightness.

  Georgie smiled that smile, like honey and sunshine and the good witch in The Wizard of Oz, before asking a question in return.

  “You can call me whatever you like, as long as it’s lovely and nice… I know, what about GT, short for Georgie Tenley but oh no, that sounds like a drink so perhaps we should wait a while and think of something fun. How about that?”

  “Yes that’s fine, I just want everyone to know who you are, like when we are out. I wouldn’t want there to be any confusion.” Vanessa had lost her nerve and desperately hoped that she didn’t sound foolish or eager. But she had so longed to call someone Mummy again.

  There was a silence and in it, Vanessa could hear the clock ticking and her heart thumping and then Georgie spoke.

  “Oh, don’t you worry your head about that, dearest. I assure you that soon everyone will know who I am and that you’re my little girl. Now go to sleep otherwise that beastly looking nanny will tear a strip off me and feed it to your granny.” That smile again and then a wink before a kiss was blown in Vanessa’s direction and the door closed shut.

  Wiggling further beneath the covers as she closed her eyes, Vanessa smiled, allowing in the lovely visions of golden-haired Georgie. Vanessa’s heart was full of a strange feeling and her tummy swirled. It was as though she was fizzy inside. Like when Cookie made éclairs or Nanny took her to the sweet shop. Happiness, that’s what it was and after waiting for so long for it, Vanessa was going to make sure it never went away. Those horrible pictures in her head, the ones of Daphne, and the blood, and that dreadful screaming and the sound of wailing sirens, all of it began to fade.

  By the following week, shades of darkness were returning to Tenley, and as Vanessa listened on the stairs, she feared the worst – that she didn’t deserve to be happy and just seven days of it was all she’d have. Vanessa remembered every single day of her happiness, imaginary hearts written in red, marked on a calendar in her head.

  Day one began after waiting for Georgie to appear at breakfast. She finally surfaced just before eleven and after lots of cups of coffee and another lie down on the sofa, felt well enough to take a tour of Tenley. Vanessa trailed behind like a puppy, listening to her father desperately attempting to make their dreary home sound wonderful. She had waited in the kitchen as they explored the old orangery and pool, instead watching Cookie preparing their picnic. When the tour resumed, Daddy looked a bit pale but Georgie soon cheered him up. Despite shaking her head at the faded wallpaper and tatty carpets, she made Kenneth and Vanessa laugh, especially as they passed the private sitting room that belonged to Phyllis, the one that nobody apart from Cookie was allowed into.

  “Kenneth darling, what is that dreadful smell? It’s like something beastly is rotting away.” Georgie sniffed the air and twisted her face in disgust.

  On the wall where they stopped, hung a tapestry. The writing and figures woven into it were barely distinguishable and its only useful purpose was to soak up dust and provide a home for moths.

  “Oh, it’s this, the Tenley Tapestry. Been in the family forever, since they used carpets to warm the halls, but you’re correct, it is rather smelly.” Kenneth flicked it with his finger and peered behind as if expecting something odiferous to crawl out.

  Hearing Georgie exhale rather dramatically interrupted his examination as she replied in a very relieved manner. “Oh, thank heavens for that. For one frightful moment I thought it might be your mother. Perhaps you should pop your head in and check she’s still with us… but on second thoughts, leave her be.”

  As they made to leave, they heard the tinkling of a bell from behind the door.

  “Oh well, at least we know that noisy budgie is alive and kicking even if Phyllis has croaked. Now come along both of you. Let’s go outside and get some fresh air before we are infected by the plague or whatever else lurks beneath all of this dust.” Taking Vanessa’s hand Georgie led the way, all three of them giggling as they went.

  What fun Vanessa had that week even though her school days were interminably long and worse, nobody believed her about Georgie and it made her so cross. Daddy was in a flap most days because he had to get up early and run Vanessa to school, even when his head thumped because he’d stayed up rather late listening to music. But he still smiled much more than he used to.

  It was on the Thursday evening that all hell broke loose, and Vanessa was already feeling particularly glum because she’d hoped to have a word with Georgie and ask if she could possibly come to school one day so all the girls could see her. But she was in bed with a dicky tummy and Daddy said she wasn’t to be disturbed so after eating tea alone, Vanessa went in search of her father.

  As she neared the bottom of the stairs, Vanessa heard a terrible row going on in the sitting room so edged closer and perched on the stiff chair outside. There was no need to put her ear against the door, not this time. She knew her granny could be mean but she was being especially horrid and shouting at the top of her voice. It was as though she’d gone mad.

  “Kenneth. Have you lost your mind? I will not stand for it one moment longer. I mean it. She is meddling in matters that do not concern her and I would thank you both to remember whose house this is.” Phyllis banged her stick in temper as Kenneth rolled his eyes, knowing only too well where this was going and also, that his mother was well aware the house and title now belonged to him.

  She was exerting her authority; holding on to her last shred of control and could not cope with another woman, a damn strong one at that, daring to challenge her.

  “For heaven’s sake, Mother, Georgie wants to redecorate, not knock the house down and start again, and be honest, just look at this place, it’s decaying around our ears and you know it.”

  “Utter nonsense. I will not have my memories erased, do you hear me, Kenneth?”

  “Yes, Mother, I hear you but on this occasion I am standing by Georgie because I am sick and tired of living in a mausoleum so you will have to get used to the changes we intend to make, it’s as simple as that. If you’re that concerned, I can arrange for all of your memories to be removed from the walls along with every stick of furniture and have it stored here in your private sitting room or perhaps your bedroom. Then you can enjoy them at your leisure.”

  “You wouldn’t dare. I don’t know what has come over you, Kenneth. You are being flippant and impertinent and it’s getting you nowhere. And what on earth possessed you to bring that shop girl home, let alone marry the common hussy? She may have you fooled with her fake accent but I can spot breeding a mile away and she has none, not one single drop.”

  “Mother, please. I will not have you speaking this way about my wife and I really don’t care where she’s from or how she speaks… It’s irrelevant to how I feel about her and that’s the end of the matter. We haven’t deceived you, in fact we have been transparent with regards to her
background which for your information is quite respectable.”

  “Poppycock. She has slut written all over her and you know it. But as with all men, I’m sure that is where the true attraction lies although I must say you have once again surprised me on that count. I suppose this means we can expect another breeding session once she has her feet under the table. Let’s hope she’s more fertile than your last wife, God rest her soul.” Phyllis presumed that piety was always required when mentioning the dead unfavourably, especially if one hoped to go upwards rather than downstairs.

  “Mother, stop. How dare you speak of Daphne like that. I won’t have it. Think of Vanessa, what if she hears?”

  “Pah, don’t irritate me with mention of that interloper. I rue the day you brought the bastard child through the door. Still, all is not lost and the shop girl might serve one useful purpose and finally pack Vanessa off to boarding school. Your wife clearly has no interest in the child; she can’t even drag herself out of her morning stupor let alone be a mother figure. You mark my words, if she manages to reproduce, it will settle the matter and Vanessa can pack her trunk and be out of sight and mind at last. Good riddance.”

  Frozen to the spot, Vanessa listened to every damning word as tears rolled down her flushed cheeks and it was only when she heard her father make a strange guttural sound before storming from the room that the spell was broken.